Arts and Crafts 6 Drawer Dresser #1: Legs and Side Panel Glueups

I started the dresser like I start most of my projects, by laminating up some legs. I am making two dressers, so 8 legs were in order.

I cut strips of 3/4” quartersawn red oak, and resawed a few of them. I could then glue 3 pieces together to get my leg width. Finally, I glued on 1/4” thick stock to cover my jointlines. After the glue dries, I plane the thickness of these veneers to about 3/32”. That way, I get quartersawn grain on all 4 sides.

I then milled stopped grooves in the legs. This will accept the frame and panels that make up the side of the dresser.

The grooves are 1/4” x 3/4” deep, and stop 2” from the bottom of the leg.

Then I started gluing up some panels for the sides of the dresser.

I milled up some rails with a dado blade.

Dry fitting the rails helps me see that I like the overall look of the side panels.

A 1/2” thick panel is resting behind the frame as a mock-up.

The front lower rail features a gentle arch. I like the overall look of the classic Harvey Ellis 9 drawer dresser, but the details were not right for me. So I designed this version with a lower stance, and more subtle arch.

The lower front rail attaches to the legs with through tenons. I am always impressed how much strength a few through tenons add to a project.

Next up will be smoothing the 1/2” side panels, rabbeting the legs for a rear panel, and cutting peg mortises.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush